Structural column



Jan. 1.0, 1928. 1,655,407

G. L. BENNETT STRUCTURAL COLUMN Filed Feb. 1. 1926 7a M INVENTOR Patented Jan. 10, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

enoaen L. BENNETT. or CLEVELAND, onro.

STRUCTURAL coL Mn.

Application filed February umns with enveloping fireproofing. material and to provide a plaster surface finishing for such columns. Suchfireprooiing material is ordinarily molded to the structural steelor 10 cast iron column by the use of knock-down forms. V

WVith the above conditions in mind, I have I provided a structural column embodying thereina li'ghtsheet metal encasement enclosingthe structural steel, or cast iron, column andnot only serving as aform to facil itate the application and retention of the fireproofing material between same and the structural steel or cast iron column at all times, but impart-ing'a surface finish to the column sufliciently smooth to avoid the necessity for a plasterfinish exteriorly of'the completed column. V

This encasement may be made of a single fairly light sheet of metal, thus permitting itto be readily sprung, to position it in'relation to the structural steel or cast iron col umn, or in complementary sections, adjacent edges of the sheet or of the sections forming the column being providedwith co-operating interlocking devices which with'the closing of the encasement when'applying it tofthe column, will engage each other in a manner to alineand hold the adjacent edgesof the sheet metal or'of adjacent sections ofencasement in close abutting relation. 7

The encasement itselfafiiords no appreci able support for the building structure and is designed primarily to 'fa'cilitatethe finish- 40 ing of the columns of a buildingand ensure durability as to the finish of these columns.

lVhile the use or theexterior of theencasement will afiord a sufficiently attractive finish to avoid the necessity for applying a superficial dressing of plaster thereto, of course, such surface finish may be used, if desired. The invention consists primarily in a structural column embodying therein sheet metal encasement of substantially the same height as, and adapted to inclose a structural metal column, and a filling about said, column,s'aid encasement having a parting extending for the full height thereof, and cooperating interlocking members secured to the material of said encasement adjacent and 1,1926. Serial No. 85,104.

upon opposite sides'of said parting and within said encasement whereby portions of said encasement, w th the closing thereof at said parting, will be mechanically united with the edges of the parting close abuttingre lation; and in such other novel features of constructionand combination of partsas are hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended. a a

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevation of thereof broken away;

Fig. 2 is a section on V a a portion of a column embodymg my inventlon, withparts Fig. 3 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 1, of

another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a section on thefline 4:4 of- Fig.3;and

Fig. 5 is a detail view or another form; of interlocking mechanism for securing the edges of the sheet metal of the encasement together adjacent a parting of the encasement. i i v Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the use ofan encasement formed of a plurality of interlockedsheet metalsections and of an encasement formed of a single sheet metalsectiom'with the edges of each section adjacent the parting providedwith interlocking-member's, is illustra'ted. V I Referringmore particularly to the embOdi-l ment of the. invention shownin Figs. 1 and 2, a steel column a of the usual construction is shown, this column being inclosed by a 'she'etmetal encasement composed of a plurality of, ortwo, sections 6 and c, the relative dimensions of the column and the encasement being suchias to form 'aspace about the column a for the reception of a suitable filler of fireproofing orothermaterial or objects (23. To facilitate the installation of said sections," these partings extending for the-entire length or height of the encasement.

thesepartings by means; of-Ian interlocking mechanism which is concealed as a result of itsbeing'located'upon thefface of the sheet metal of the encasement presented towards The sections are held tog'ether adjacent the column a. The interlocking mechanism adjacent each parting of the encasement is identical with that of the other parting, and the number of these mechanisms and their vertical spacing with relation to each other, will vary with columns of different heights and encasements of different weights. A description of but one of these interlocking mechanisms is therefore necessary, since the other mechanisms are mere duplicates thereof.

Carried by the sheet metal of the encasement upon one side of the parting and projecting from the edge thereof a distance sufficient to lap the edge of the material upon the opposite side of said parting, is a socket plate 8 preferably secured in position with relation to the metal of the encasement by being spot welded thereto.

Secured to the sheet metal. of the encasement at the other side of the parting in any desired manner as by spot welding, is a spring latch member 7 having a tooth 1 adapted to enter the socket in the member 0, the latch member adjacent said toothed member having an offset portion 7t forming a pocket to receive the projecting end of the socket plate (2. Preferably the end of the latch member f and the tooth g are provided with a bevel 2' which with the closing of the portions of the encasement adjacent said parting with relation to each other will, by engagement with the edge of the socket mem ber a, cause said socket member to spring the latch member 7 sufficiently to ensure the automatic engagement of the tooth g with said socket member when the edges of the encasement adjacent the parting are in substantially abut-ting relation to each other.

This automatic action of the interlocking mechanism is preferable as it very much simplifies the assembling of the encasement with relation to the column a. If desired, however, the interlocking mechanism may be constructed as illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, in which thesocket plate 6' is of the construction as heretofore described and the latch member f instead of being provided with a beveled end and tooth, has a squared tooth g. With this construction, however, it will be necessary to manually flex the projecting spring latch member f when finally closing the encasement about the column.

In the embodiment of. the invention shown in Figs. 3 and st of the drawings, the encasement is made of a single sect-ion b of sheetmetal so bent as to approximate the form of the complementary encasement sections 6 and 0 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This section has a single parting only, and is provided adjacent this parting with an interlocking mechanism constructed and operating in the same manner as the interlocking mechanism described in connection with the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The socket member of this interlocking mechanism is shown at 6 the latch member at F, the offset or socket forming alining portion at if, the tooth at g and the bevel at '5 The effects secured by both forms of the invention illustrated in the same, that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 being especially adapted for use with an encasement formed of heavier sheet metal, and that shown in Figs. 3 and a being adapted for use with an encasement formed of lighter sheet metal.

In practice, when using a multiple part encasement, the different parts thereof are positioned in relation to the column a, and the adjacent edges of the section, or sections, at the line of parting, are brought together with the socket plate 6, 6, carried by the encasement at one side of a parting positioned between the spring latch member f or f, and carried by said encasement at the other side of the parting. lVhen the edges are so positioned, they are forced together, the offset portion A. or fl receiving the socket plate a. or e and accurately alining the adjacent edges of the sheet metal forming the encasement upon opposite sides of said parting. As the gap at the parting is closed, the bevelled portion 2' of the latch member and the tooth. 9', will, by engagement with the plate 6, cause the springing of the latch member inwardly, so as to cause the tooth to enter the socket in said plate 0, and thus firmly lock the edges of the encasement at the parting.

The encasement as a whole may then be accurately located with relation to the inclosed, column a and the filler, such as fireproofing material, introduced in the space between the column a and the encasement.

If a squared tooth g is used of course it will be necessary to force this tooth inwardly to permit it to pass the socket plate.

As to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4:, it is necessary to open the previously formed encasement section sufii ciently to permit it to pass about the column a and then bring the edges of the sheet at the parting together and close them with relation to each other, the interlocking mechanism acting the same in this form of the invention as in the multiple section encasement.

Vhen the encasement is once in position, the edges of the sheet metal at the parting, whether there be a single or a plurality of partings, will be brought into abutting relation in substantially accurate alinement, with these adjacent edges permanently locked in relation to each other, it being contemplated that while this encasement shall serve as a form to facilitate the introduction of fireproofing or other filler between it and the column, it shall also serve as facing sheathing for the completed column. The inter- Inc mentat the edge adjacent which thesocket retain locking mechanism Whn positioned within the column is not only protected by the sheet 'metal of the encasement but is also effective- 1y blocked against possible accidental ;re-

thisplate in projecting across the parting will serve as an alining member With relation to both edges of the'materiahat the parting and, Will prevent outwardm0veplate is secured with, relationjto theother edge, the latch member acting upon the socket plate to prevent the outward move ment at the edge of the'encasement adjacent which the latch member is secured;

' 'The'encasement, 'wliile formed of fairly light sheet metal stock, when "positioned relation to a column a possesses sufficient rigidity to be effective asa' protecting sheathing, the filler betweensame and the column abeing protected thereby while 'atthe same time affording a'backing therefor which will prevent possible displacement of the encasement with relation tothe column.

It is not my intention to limit the invention to any configuration of the encasement,

and if desired the sheet metal forming the encasement may decorative matter. j e The number of interlocking mechanisms may be varied at will, their number and position beiiig inore orless controlled" by an have impressed thereon anticipated tendency of" the separation "at the edges 'of'a parting; I secure the parts o'f such mechanisms by spot,jor other, welding methods and position these parts within the encasement n order to avoid defacement of the exposed face of the encasement'iby parts protruding therefrom. i

It is not myintention to limitthe invention to the precise details of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, it'being apparent that such may be varied with l rred by and within said encasement at the other sideof said-parting and in engaging out departing from thelspirit and scope of the invention.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire by Letters Patent, is 2- to have protected l. A structural coluninembodying therein cured to the material of said encasement adjacent and upon opposite sidesof said part ing and within said encasement whereby portions of said encasement, with the closing thereof atjsaid parting, will be mechanicallyunited 'with the edges of the parting I "in ClOSG-fibtlttlng relation.

2; A structural column embodying therein a sheetmetalencasement of substantially the same height as, and adapted toinclose a structural metal column, anda filling about said column, said encasement havinga parting extending for the full height thereof, a socket platecarrie'd'by and within said encasement at-one side of theparting, anda toothed spring member carried by and With- "in said encasement at the other side of said parting and in engaging relation with said socket plate, whereby portions of said 'encasement, with the closing thereof at' said parting, will be -mechanically united with the edges of the parting inclose abutting relation; I

3. A structural column embodyingtherein a sheetnietal encasement of substantially the same height as, and adapted to inclose a structural metal column, and a'filling about said column, said encasement having a parting extending for the full height thereof, a socket plate projecting beyond the edge of and lapping the parting, carried by and Within said encasement-atone sidejof the parting, and a" toothed spring member car- 'riedby and Within said encasement atitl e other side 'of saidparting and in engaging relation with said socket plate, said spring member being offset withrelation to the encasement to receive said socket plate, whereby portions of SfllClQllClSGIllGllt, with the closing thereof at said parting, will be mechanically a. A structural column embodying therein socket plate projecting beyond thepec ge of and lapping; the parting, carried by and within said encasement at one side oftlie parting, andaa'toothed spring member carunited and will bealined one with the other withtn'e edges ofeach parting. in close abut- "tiiig relation.

relation vithsaid socket plate, said spring member being offset with relation to theencasement to: receive said socket plate, said spring member and said tooth being bevelled,

;whereby said spring niemberwill be automaticallyengaged with said socket plate l with the closing of saidencasement, andporof substantially the same height as, and adapted :toinclose a structural metal column, and a filling about said column, said en- ;casement liavinga parting extending fortthe full height thereof, an arcuate socket :plate projecting beyond the edge of and lapping :the parting, carried by said encasement at one side of the parting, and upon the side of said encasement presented toward said metal column, and anarcuate toothed spring at said parting, will be mechanically united and 'will be alined one with the other with theedges of each parting in close abutting relation, and said plate and said spring -member will be concealed withinsaid encasement.

6. A structural column embodying therein a sheet metal encasement of substantiallyrthe p same height as, and adapted to inclose a structural metal column and a filling about said column, said encasement comprising a plurality of complementary sections, the parting between adjacent sectionsextending for the full height thereof, and co-operating interlocking members secured to the material of adjacent sections ,of saidencasement and upon opposite sides ofeach parting and within said encasement, whereby said sections of the encasement with the closing thereof at said partings Will be mechanically united with the edges of the parting in close abutting relation. 7

7. A structural column embodying therein a sheet metal encasement of substantially the same height as, and adapted to inclose a structural metal column and a filling about said column, said encasement comprising a plurality of complementary sections, the parting between adjacent sections extending for the full height thereof, a socket plate carried by and within one-edge of each section and projectingtherebeyond and lapping the parting between it and the adjacent section, and a toothed spring member carried by and within said adjacent section at the other side of the parting and in the engaging relation with said socket plate, said spring members'being offset with relation to the section carrying same to receive said socket plates, whereby said sections of "the encasement with the closing thereof at said tion and ,projecting therbyond and lapping the parting between it and the adjacent section, and a toothed spring member vcaririediby and withinsaid adjacent section at the other side of the parting and iii-engagling relation with said socket plate, said spring menibers'being oifset with relation to the section carrying same to receive said socket plates, said spring membersand said teeth being bevelled, whereby said spring members willbe automatically engaged with said socket plates, and said sections of the encasement with the closing thereof at said artings will be mechanically united and willbe alined one with the other with the edges of each parting in close abutting rela tion. 3

'9. A structural column embodying therein apreforme dfsheet metal encasement adapted to 'inclose a structural metal column and a filling about said column, said encasement comprising a plurality of arcuate complementary sections, the parting between adjacent sections extending for the full height thereof, a soc'ket plate carried by one edge of each section, upon the side of said section presented toward said metal column, and projecting therebeyond and lapping the parting between it and the adjacent section, and a toothed spring member carried by said vadjacent section at the other side of the parting, .upon the side of said section presented toward said metal column, and in engaging relation with said socket plate, said spring members being offset with relationto'the section'ca'rrying same to receive said socket plates, whereby said sections of the encasement with the closing thereof at saidpartings will-be mechanically united, will be valined one with the other with the edges of each parting in close abutting relation,

and said spring members will be concealed within said encasement.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto afiixed my signature this 23rd day of January,1926.

GEORGE L. BENNETT. 

